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Obese, diabetic with high BP; need help with food addiction
Diabetes & Endocrine System | Last Active: Mar 11, 2020 | Replies (127)Comment receiving replies
I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.
Replies to "I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost..."
@rosemarya Thanks for the testimonial! Teresa
@hopeful33250 I do the water aerobics, depending on the instructor that lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. After that, and on days when I do not make the class, I do either another 30 - 45 minutes walking in the water, vigorously, or an hour at least if I have not been in the pool for class. I hate going but I am glad afterwards. I am a fairly sociable person but I really hate it when people start talking to me because that slows me down and when I am in the pool I want to be done with it.
My club is really quite good, I have to look into more options. In all of the classes the instructors know the participants; weaknesses and problem areas and they make sure we tailor the exercises to ourselves. I have done Zumba in the past, may do it again, and I do Pilates Reformer now. There are many other types of things they have, I need to explore more. It's a good sized club with so many options.
JK
@contentandwell It sounds like we have similar tastes in exercise. I do not attend the water exercise classes, but like to walk in the water and move my arms at my own speed. When I exercise, I just enjoy going at my own pace. It works better than trying to keep up with an instructor, that way I can tailor the exercise and not get too tired. It sounds like you have a lot of variety in your exercise plan. Teresa
@ihatediabetes I've said this before, but it's worth repeating, your insight is wonderful! Teresa
@hopeful33250 At my club different days have different instructors. I like to have a vigorous workout so I mainly go to those instructors and when I walk by myself I swing my arms hard and bend my knees high so I am really marching. I do that to give my knees a good workout. I am way overdue for a knee replacement but the exercise has been tremendously helpful, I rarely limp now. The Wednesday and Friday instructor is one of my favorites but sometimes I kid her that she is over-caffeinated that day. The nice thing is she is probably in her mid to late fifties, not slim, and she makes the class fun while keeping us going. I must admit, I really do push myself, but for me that has been good.
JK
@contentandwell Wow, you have really developed great work-out plan, I'm impressed! I've been having knee problems as well and the walking in the water is great. I'm glad that your limping has improved, your program must be working well for you. I must admit the instructor in her 50's sounds good! Teresa
@hopefull33250 that instructor really is great, there is no stopping, each move just goes right into the next and when she is not saying what to do she is funny, she'll start singing or talking about some TV show she likes -- the aqua group turned on to "This is Us". The other instructor I love just turned 50 but looks younger, she has children in middle and high school, and she too never stops. She is just such a nice person too. We have become Facebook friends and when I was sick she even wanted to do my shopping for me despite living about 15 miles away. She and her husband are just really good people.
JK
@contentandwell That is great. The exercise group sounds like it doubles as a support group! Teresa
Hi everyone. Today I walked my entire bluebird route in state park. I rubbed ivory soap on the roofs on inside. They said this keeps wasps from building wasp nests. I hate wasps so I wanted to make sure they don't come. I put 14000 steps on my fitbit which came to a little more than 6 miles. I was really leaning on my hiking pole trying to get back.
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Teresa, yes I am monitoring myself since I am going through the Healthy Living Program. It's an intervention. I think they encourage you to be introspective. So I am paying attention to my thoughts and behaviors. I actually noticed that since I have been hiking I can actually sense my body better. I can feel hungry after and during hiking. So I carry snacks like granola bar or a mix of nuts and dry cranberries. I also carry a bottle of water in my coat pocket. I actually found myself dumping out some of the water because I knew I only needed two thirds of it and didn't want to carry extra weight. Then I don't carry more snacks than I need. I eat a few pieces and then I can feel exactly when it's enough. I know exactly how much water I need to be comfortable. I haven't felt this awareness before hiking miles at a time carrying only what I needed. So much of modern life is going through drive-thru for burger, fries, pop. You certainly can't tell when you had just enough when you get a burger combo with 1200 calories put in a bag on your carseat. People drive and eat at same time. How can they tell when they're full? Of course they can't. They're driving! So I discovered for myself what it feels like to be hungry from hiking and taking in small amounts of food and water to continue hiking. It's a new experience for me. I think that's why I noticed I was snacking when I was anxious. I could compare eating from hiking versus eating from anxiety. It felt totally different. Eating from anxiety feeds the anxiety not a physical need. To me that's an epiphany.